Device with roll mechanism

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a device that is comprised of a flexible material and a roll mechanism associated with the flexible material. A bistable resilient member maintains the flexible material flat due to a tension force within the body of the bistable resilient member in a first stable state, and maintains the flexible material to a rolled-up, bundled closed position after the tension force within the body of the bistable resilient member is fully released (the second stable state). Further, the bistable resilient member compels the flexible material to a self-roll-up motion (during a transition state) while a tension force within the body of the bistable resilient member is released.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a CONTINUATION application claiming the benefit ofpriority of the co-pending U.S. Non-Provisional Utility patentapplication Ser. No. 13/539,211 with a filing date Jun. 29, 2012, theentire disclosures of which is expressly incorporated by reference inits entirety herein. It should be noted that where a definition or useof a term in the incorporated patent application is inconsistent orcontrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definitionof that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term inthe incorporated patent applications does not apply.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to a flexible material with rollmechanism and, more particularly, to flexible material that self-rolls.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional flexible material such as mats are well known and have beenin use for a number of years. In general, mats are used as a cushion andmay comprise of material with thickness and flexibility that provides aprotective, softened padding between a user body and the ground.

Due to their soft, flexible composition and thickness, regrettably, mostmats suffer from obvious disadvantages in that they easily bent out oftheir normal shape during use, loosing their proper stance (whether inrolled-up, or bundled position or rolled-out, open position). Forexample, when a conventional mat is rolled-out from its closed position,instead of having a proper flat stance, its ends may continue to remaincurled (in a rolled-up position) or its body may remain curved (ratherthan remain flat on the ground). In general, most users place heavyobjects on top of the mat or the curled ends of the mat to flatten themat for proper use.

Another disadvantage with conventional mats is that rolling-up the matrequires a great deal of effort, especially for large size mats that areused in camping. That is, when rolling-up a mat of any size to a closedor bundled position, the user must first align the lateral edges ofevery roll within the same plane so that the bundled mat is not rolledskewed or slanted (into a telescoping “cone” shape). Simultaneously, theuser must also apply constant pressure on the rolling body portion ofthe mat so that the rolling mat is rolled in a tight or compact bundlefor storage without unwinding. This is especially difficult for thickermats and if not done properly, the rolled mat may laterally “telescope”out. Accordingly, rolling-up a mat into a bundle is very inconvenient ifthe user is fatigued due to exercise (e.g., if the mat is a yoga mat) orcamping (e.g., if the mat is used as a cushion under a sleeping bag).

Assuming that the mat is rolled-up properly, the users must then takethe next, time consuming, inconvenient, but necessary step of applying astrap around the rolled-up mat to keep the mat bundled up, otherwise,the mat would tend to unroll due to its flexible composition. This isespecially true for larger size mats used for camping. It should benoted that some mats are not sold with a strap and hence, users musteither purchase a strap or simply roll-up the mat tightly and store fitit in a tight space, hoping that the mat does not unroll. Upon properlybundling the mat (with or without a strap), if the mat is storedup-right on its rolled edges, resting at a slight angle against somevertical support, the exposed corner ends of the mat that carry itsweight will bend and remain bent while stored, with the mat loosing itsproper stance.

Accordingly, in light of the current state of the art and the drawbacksto current mats mentioned above, a need exists for a flexible materialthat would easily roll into a properly tight, rolled-up bundle andmaintain its properly rolled posture without much effort or therequirement of a strap, and that would easily unroll into a fully flatopen position without much effort or without loss in proper stance.Further, a need exists for a flexible material that would protect itscorner ends from bending.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A non-limiting, exemplary optional aspect of the present inventionprovides a device, comprising a flexible material and a roll mechanismassociated with the flexible material.

Another non-limiting, exemplary optional aspect of the present inventionprovides a device, comprising a mat, a pair of bistable resilientmembers coupled with the mat, with the bistable resilient memberssubstantially equally distanced from a center axis of the mat,positioned near lateral edges of the mat. Further provided are a pair ofrigid elements coupled with distal ends of the pair of bistableresilient members.

A further, non-limiting, exemplary optional aspect of the presentinvention provides a method for rolling-out and rolling-up a flexiblematerial, comprising coupling at least one bistable resilient memberwith the flexible material to allow the flexible material to roll-up andbundled into a closed position when the bistable resilient member iscaused to change from a first stable state to a second stable state.

Such stated advantages of the invention are only examples and should notbe construed as limiting the present invention. These and otherfeatures, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following detailed description ofpreferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments, taken together with thedrawings and the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposesof exemplary illustration only and not as a definition of the limits ofthe invention. Throughout the disclosure, the word “exemplary” is usedexclusively to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.”Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference character(s) presentcorresponding part(s) throughout:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of a flexiblematerial in a form of a non-limiting, exemplary mat that includes a rollmechanism in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a non-limiting, exemplary illustration of a flexible materialin a form of an exemplary mat that includes a roll mechanism as shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, but with the roll mechanism associated with an outerside thereof in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 3A to 3F are non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of the deviceof FIGS. 1A to 2, progressively illustrating the gradual self-rolling ofthe flexible material from the rolled-out or flat and open position(FIGS. 1A to 3A) to rolled-up, bundled closed position (FIGS. 3E and 3F)in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B are non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of the deviceof FIGS. 1A to 3F, illustrating a rigid element and its relation to theflexible material in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodimentsof the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms inwhich the present invention may be constructed and or utilized.

Throughout the disclosure, specific references to a mat, pad, or cushionare only meant for convenience of examples of a flexible material andshould not be limiting. In fact, any flexible material that is rolled toone of an open or closed positions for use and storage may be used,non-limiting examples of which may include exercise mats such as yogamats, camping mats, children's nap mats, floor mats, or most other typesof items such as cloth, carpets, cushions or pads that are rolled-out toa flat, open position for use and rolled-up and bundled to a closedposition for storage.

The present invention provides a device comprised of a flexible materialthat easily rolls into a properly tight, rolled-up bundle and maintainits properly rolled posture without much effort or the requirement of astrap, and that also easily unrolls into a fully flat, rolled-out openposition without much effort or without loss in proper stance. Thedevice of the present invention further provides protection for thecorner ends of the flexible material from bending during storage.

In particular, the present invention provides a device that is comprisedof a flexible material (e.g., a mat, carpet, cloth, pad, cushion, etc.)and a roll mechanism associated with the flexible material, with alongitudinal axial length of the roll mechanism oriented at an angle inrelation to a desired rolling direction of the flexible material thatfacilitates the roll of the flexible material.

In general, the roll mechanism of the present invention may include atleast one bistable resilient member (e.g., a bistable spring band orstrip) that has a first stable state, a second stable state, and atransition state. The first stable state of the bistable resilientmember is a straightened out state, creating tension within the body ofthe member, with the second stable state of the bistable resilientmember being a curved, rolled-up state. The bistable resilient membertransitions from one of the first and second stable states to another ofthe second and first stable states by application of a force thatinitiates the transition state of the bistable resilient member from oneof the first and second stable states to another of the second and firststable states.

The bistable resilient member associated with the flexible materialmaintains the flexible material to a flat, straightened, and openposition when the bistable resilient member is in the first stablestate, and maintains the flexible material to a rolled-up, bundledclosed position when the bistable resilient member is in the secondstable state. The flexible material is compelled to roll out to a flat,straightened open position or self-roll-up to a bundled closed positionwhen the associated bistable resilient member is in the transitionstate. Stated otherwise, the bistable resilient member maintains theflexible material flat due to the created tension within the body of thebistable resilient member in the first stable state, and maintains theflexible material to a rolled-up, bundled closed position after thetension force within the body of the bistable resilient member is fullyreleased (the second stable state). Further, the bistable resilientmember compels the flexible material to a self-roll-up motion (tobundle) during the transition state while the tension force within thebody of the bistable resilient member is being released. The transitionstate for the roll out of the flexible material into a flat, openposition requires an application or exertion of an external force toroll out the flexible material, which creates or generates the tensionforce within the bistable resilient member when it is snapped from thetransition state to the first stable state.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of a flexiblematerial in a form of a non-limiting, exemplary mat that includes a rollmechanism in accordance with the present invention. The illustratedflexible material 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B accommodates within its body aroll mechanism that allow the flexible material 100 to self-roll into aproperly tight, rolled-up bundle and maintain its properly rolledposture without much effort or the requirement of a strap, and that alsoeasily unrolls into a fully flat, rolled-out open position without mucheffort or without loss in proper stance. The roll mechanism accommodatedwithin the body of the flexible material 100 of the present invention inFIGS. 1A and 1B further provide protection for the corner ends 306thereof from bending during storage.

The flexible material 100 of the present invention includes a first side102, a second side 118 (FIG. 2), a length 104, a width 106, and athickness for use. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the roll mechanism(shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1B) is preferably accommodated within thebody of the flexible material 100, where it is inconspicuous andgenerally cannot be felt by users (depending on the thickness of theflexible material 100). The roll mechanism (detailed below) ispreferably comprised of a pair of bistable resilient members 108 and apair of rigid elements 110 (all shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1B) thatare preferably inserted within the body of the flexible material 100that has sufficient thickness that can accommodate the roll mechanism.Any number of bistable resilient members 108 and or rigid elements 110may be associated with the flexible material 100 and should not belimited to the pairs illustrated.

It should be noted that the remaining FIGS. 2 to 4B (detailed below)illustrate another embodiment of the present invention where the rollmechanism is associated with the flexible material 100 on either or bothouter sides (102 and or 118) rather than within the body of the flexiblematerial 100, which also facilitate in teaching and better understandingof the invention. Accordingly, FIG. 2 is a non-limiting, exemplaryillustration of a flexible material in a form of an exemplary mat thatincludes a roll mechanism as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, but with the rollmechanism associated with an outer side thereof in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 2, the flexible material 100 of thepresent invention includes, without limitations, an exemplary pair ofbistable resilient members 108 coupled with an outer side 118 thereof.It should be noted that any number of bistable resilient members 108 maybe associated with any one or both sides (102 and or 118) of theflexible material 100. However, if one or more bistable resilientmembers 108 are used on both sides (102 and 118) of the flexiblematerial 100, then their manner of association with their respectivelyassociated side must be coordinated for the proper roll of the flexiblematerial 100. For example, if a first bistable resilient member 108 isused on a first side 102 of the flexible material 100, and a secondbistable resilient member 108 is used on the second side 118 of theflexible material 100, both bistable resilient members 108 must beoriented with their respective associated first and second sides 102 and118 so that their respective states (first stable state, second stablestate, and transition state) are harmonized for proper roll of theflexible material 100. In fact, if more than one bistable resilientmember 108 is used (regardless of location in relation to the flexiblematerial 100), then all bistable resilient members 108 must be orientedso that their respective states (first stable state, second stablestate, and transition state) are harmonized.

Further included with the device of the present invention is a pair ofrigid elements 110 that are also coupled with the outer side 118 of theflexible material 100 and further coupled with the bistable resilientmembers 108. As with the bistable resilient members 108, any number ofrigid elements 110 may be associated with any one or both sides (102 andor 118) of the flexible material 100. Further, the shape of the rigidelements 110 need not be straight and may include any configuration. Forexample, the shapes of the rigid elements 110 may be commensurate withthe shape or contour of the side with which they are associated.

In general, a bistable resilient member 108 is associated with theflexible material 100 along a desired rolling direction of the flexiblematerial 100. More specifically, it is generally preferred if alongitudinal axial length of the bistable band 108 is oriented along adesired rolling direction of the flexible material 100. The orientationof the association of the roll mechanism in relation to the rolldirection of the flexible material 100 is detailed below.

FIGS. 3A to 3F are non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of the deviceof FIGS. 1A to 2, progressively illustrating the gradual self-rolling ofthe flexible material from the rolled-out or flat and open position(FIGS. 1A to 3A) to rolled-up, bundled closed position (FIGS. 3E and 3F)in accordance with the present invention. In the exemplary instanceshown in FIGS. 1A to 3F, the desired rolling direction of the flexiblematerial 100 is selected to be along its central longitudinal axis(along the illustrated X-ordinate), which parallels its length 104. Inthe exemplary instance of the exemplarily selected desired rollingdirection, the axis of rotation (or the roll axis) of the flexiblematerial 100 will be along its transverse axis (the illustratedY-ordinate), which parallels its width 106. The roll may be initiatedfrom either end 106 of the flexible material 100. As illustrated inFIGS. 3A to 3F, to initiate the transition state of the bistableresilient members 108 and hence, commence the self-rolling motion of theflexible material 100 without any further action, a user “snaps” an endof the bistable resilient members 108 (shown within the dashed circles116) by manipulating the rigid element 110 in the direction indicated bythe dashed arrows 112, and simply allows the entire flexible material100 to self-roll into a cylindrical bundle progressively illustrated inFIGS. 3A to 3F. It should be noted when unrolling (or rolling out) theflexible material 100 into a flat, open position, the rigid elements 110are manipulated in the direction indicated by the dashed arrows 113(FIG. 3A) to “snap” the bistable resilient members 108 from thetransitional state to the first stable state.

As stated above, the bistable resilient member 108 is generallyassociated with the flexible material 100 along a desired rollingdirection of the flexible material 100, which may be selected accordingto application and use. For example, in the exemplary, non-limitinginstance illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 4B, the rolling direction of theflexible material 100 is selected to be along a longitudinal axiallength of the flexible material 100 (the length 104), which is along theillustrated X-ordinate of the illustrated X-Y plane, resulting in aroll-axis of the flexible material 100 that is parallel the width 106(or the Y-ordinate) and transverse the longitudinal axial length of theflexible material 100. Accordingly, for the given exemplary selectedrolling direction chosen for flexible material 100 illustrated FIGS. 1Ato 4B, a longitudinal axial length of the bistable band 108 ispreferably oriented substantially parallel the lateral edges (or length104) of the flexible material 100 (along the illustrated X-ordinate),and substantially perpendicular to a desired roll axis (which is thetransverse or Y-axis—the width 106) of the rolling flexible material 100shown in FIGS. 1A to 4B. In other words, the illustrated setup (in FIGS.1A to 4B) will roll the flexible material 100 along its length 104. Ifusers wish to roll the flexible material 100 along its width 106 instead(e.g., due to some application requirement), then the longitudinal axiallength of the bistable band 108 should be oriented along the width 106(the roll direction) and at an angle in relation to the roll axis, thelength 104 or the X-ordinate.

It should be noted that any one or more bistable resilient members 108may be associated with the flexible material 100 along a desired rollingdirection of the flexible material 100, with the longitudinal axiallengths of the bands 108 oriented at any desired angle in relation tothe desired rolling direction or the roll-axis of the flexible material100. In other words, the longitudinal axial lengths of the bistableresilient members 108 need not be oriented perpendicular to theroll-axis or parallel the roll direction of the flexible material forthe flexible material to self-roll. However, the longitudinal axiallengths of the bistable resilient members 108 are preferably orientedperpendicular to the roll-axis (parallel the roll direction) for aproper roll where the flexible material 100 is rolled up into asubstantially right-circular cylindrical configuration illustrated inFIGS. 3E and 3F with the illustrated cylindrical body and a flattenedbase 120 and no telescoping of its body from the base 120.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 3F, a pair of bistable resilient members108 are preferably used and placed equally distanced 114 from thelateral edges 104 of the flexible material 100 because the tensionforces of the respective bistable resilient members 108 are thensubstantially equally released during the transition state, providing abalanced (or stable) roll and compelling a proper roll of the flexiblematerial 100. That is, the pair of bistable resilient members 108continuous and substantially equally release their respective tensionforce during the transition state along their respective positions(equally distanced 114 from the lateral edges 104) associated with theflexible material 100, balancing one another, enabling a proper rollwith rolling lateral edges 104 continuously maintained within the sameplane (passing through the base 120) during all of the transitionalstate. During the rolling motion, the continuous release of the tensionforces of both members 108 counter balance and create an equilibriumwhere during the roll-up motion, each exert a force that aligns thelateral edges 104 within their respective plane passing through therespective base 120. This enables a straight rolling direction. With theuse of only a single bistable resilient member 108, the potential doesexist that the roll may be skewed or slanted. This is especiallycompounded when one side of the flexible material 100 may have aslightly different rigidity or crookedness verses a second lateral sideand the force of the tension released from a single bistable resilientmember 108 positioned along the center or other orientation may not beable to compensate for the physical variations of the lateral sides ofthe flexible material 100 and hence, the final rolled up unit may beskewed or not straight. For example, one lateral side may not roll aseasily as the other, which may be a softer side and hence, the tensionforce released from the single bistable resilient member 108 will nothave an equal impact on the roll of the lateral sides with differingphysical properties. Therefore, the use of bistable resilient members108 equally distanced at 114 along both lateral edges 104 help inrolling the flexible material 100 straight since the overall release ofthe tension force and its overall impact will be cumulative, balanced,and effective.

As further illustrated, in addition to a preferred use of two bistableresilient members 108, they are also positioned substantially equallydistanced from a center axis of the flexible material 100, positioned adistance 114 away from the lateral edges 104 of the flexible material100. The placement of the bistable resilient members 108 along the outeredges of the flexible material 100 (a distance 114 away from the verylateral edge 104) is also for the comfort of the user. That is, if forexample the flexible material 100 is used as an exercise mat (e.g., ayoga mat), then it is preferred if the middle portion of the flexiblematerial 100 has nothing that would be “felt” by the user during yogaexercises. Additionally, placing the bistable resilient members 108 farapart has the added important benefit of facilitating a proper rollsince if they are juxtaposed too close to one another, then theircumulative effect would be lost and would tantamount to a use of asingle bistable resilient member 108. On the other hand, if the bistableresilient members 108 are positioned too close to the lateral edge 104or too far away from each other (with a very small distance 114), thenthey have a greater chance of being torn off of the flexible material100. That is, the bistable resilient members 108 have a fairly sharpedge that may cut into the flexible material 100 and hence, they areplaced a distance 114 away from the lateral edges 104, making the spandefined by distance 114 as a “buffer or safe zone.” This is particularimportant if the flexible material is rolled and set on its lateraledges 104 (the base 120 shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F), where if the bistableresilient members 108 are too close to the lateral edges 104, thebistable resilient member edges may cut into the lateral edges 104 ofthe flexible material 100 or easily peel away from the flexible material100. Therefore, distance 114 provides a cushion or a buffer so that thebistable resilient members 108 are within the “safe zone.”

FIGS. 4A and 4B are non-limiting, exemplary illustrations of the deviceof FIGS. 1A to 3F, illustrating a rigid element and its relation to theflexible material in accordance with the present invention. Asillustrated, a pair of rigid elements 110 is coupled with distal ends ofthe pair of bistable resilient members 108. As best illustrated in FIGS.4A and 4B, an exemplary rivet 404 may be used to connect the distal endsof the bistable resilient member 108 extending out of a cut-out area 406of the rigid element 110. However, such a connection is optional andneed not be used to connect the rigid elements 110 with the bistableresilient members 108. The distal ends of the bistable resilient members108 may be inserted and secured into a cavity of the rigid element 110instead. In such an instance, the thickness 408 of the rigid element 110must be of sufficient dimension to allow for a cavity. Nonetheless, anytype of mechanism may be used to couple the bistable resilient members108 with the rigid elements. In fact, even a strong adhesive may be usedto glue the bistable resilient members 108 with the rigid elements 110.

The rigid elements 110 secure the distal ends of the bistable resilientmembers 108 to the flexible material 100. If the bistable resilientmembers 108 are attached by an adhesive such as a glue to the flexiblematerial 100, one of the functions of the rigid elements 110 is tosecure and maintain the distal ends of the bistable resilient members108 in contact with the flexible material 100. This way, the bistableresilient members 108 cannot be literally ripped off and away from theflexible material 100 during their transition state due to the releaseof their tension force. As importantly, the rigid elements 110facilitate the initiation of the transition state of the bistable springbands 108. That is, the rigid elements 110 may be thought of as a“handle” that facilitates the initiation or end of the transition stateof the bistable resilient members 108 by aiding the user to “snap” thebands 108 from a stable state (first or second) to a transition stateand vice versa (from the transition state to one of the first and secondstable states) as described above.

It should be noted that dimensions of the rigid pair of elements 110 maybe varied, but would affect the way the flexible material 100 rolls toone of open and closed positions. For example, increasing the widthdimension 402 or the thickness 408 of the rigid pair 110 would increasethe overall radius of the finally rolled and bundled flexible material100. The opposite would be true if the width or thickness sizes 402 and408 are reduced, which would result in a reduced radius of the finallyrolled and bundled flexible material.

It should further be noted that although a single, elongated continuouspiece of rigid element is illustrated per distal ends of the bistableresilient members 108, each distal end of the bistable resilient member108 may be coupled with a separate, shorter piece of rigid element 110.That is, a total of four rigid elements may be coupled with theexemplary four distal ends of the exemplary two, bistable resilientmembers 108. However, a single, elongated continuous piece of rigidelement 110 per distal ends of the bistable resilient members 108 asillustrated is preferred. The single elongated rigid element 110facilitates in ending or initiating the transition state of all bistablespring strips (regardless of their number) with one hand of the user,substantially simultaneously distributing a force of the exertedpressure by one hand, longitudinally, along its axial length andtransferring the force to the bistable resilient members to snap them toend or initiate the transition state. With shorter, individual rigidelements 110, both hands of the user must be used to end or initiate thetransition state of each bistable resilient member 108.

The pair of rigid elements 110 in combination with the pair of bistableresilient members 108 as illustrated in all the figures form a sturdy“frame” for the flexible material 100 that facilitate in the properroll. That is, the combination provides a framed skeleton that enables aproperly tight, rolled-up bundle flexible material 100 that alsomaintain its properly rolled posture without much effort or therequirement of a strap. Further, the frame also enables flexiblematerial to easily unroll into a fully flat open position without mucheffort or without loss in proper stance. The pair of rigid elements alsoaid in protecting the corner ends 306 of the flexible material 100 frombending.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail inlanguage specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to beunderstood that the invention defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary preferredforms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is tobe understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, aswell as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should notbe regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrativeembodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variationsand alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Suchvariations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, thelabels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse,clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such asupper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal,distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. havebeen used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to implyany particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used toreflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations betweenvarious portions of an object.

In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. membersthroughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) is not used toshow a serial or numerical limitation but instead is used to distinguishor identify the various members of the group.

In addition, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state“means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing aspecific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step”clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. Inparticular, the use of “step of,” “act of,” “operation of,” or“operational act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke theprovisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a flexible material; and aroll mechanism associated with a body of the flexible material; the rollmechanism is comprised of: a single bistable resilient member having alength that is oriented substantially parallel along a desired rollingdirection of the flexible material, substantially perpendicular to adesired roll axis of the flexible material; a single rigid elementassociated with a distal end of the bistable resilient member; the rigidelement having a length that is oriented substantially perpendicular thedesired rolling direction of the flexible material, substantiallyparallel to the desired roll axis of the flexible material; the rigidelement facilitates application of force to the bistable resilientmember to initiate one of a transition state and stable states of theresilient bistable member.
 2. The device as set forth in claim 1,wherein: the bistable resilient member has a first stable state, asecond stable state, and the transition state; the first stable state ofthe bistable resilient member is a straightened out state, creatingtension within the bistable resilient member; and the second stablestate of the bistable resilient member is a curved, rolled-up state; thebistable resilient member transitions from one of the first and secondstable states to another of the second and first stable states by theapplication of force that initiates the transition state of the bistableresilient member from one of the first and second stable states toanother of the second and first states.
 3. The device as set forth inclaim 2, wherein: the flexible material is maintained in a flat,straightened, and open position by the bistable resilient member whenthe bistable resilient member is in the first stable state; the flexiblematerial is maintained in a rolled-up, bundled closed position by thebistable resilient member when the bistable resilient member is in thesecond stable state; and the flexible material is compelled to roll-outto a flat, straightened open position or roll-up to a bundled closedposition by the bistable resilient member when the bistable resilientmember is in the transition state.
 4. The device as set forth in claim1, wherein: the bistable resilient member is accommodated within a bodyof the flexible material.
 5. The device as set forth in claim 1,wherein: the rigid element is accommodated within the body of theflexible material.
 6. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein: thebistable resilient member is covered by a coating.
 7. The device as setforth in claim 1, wherein: the flexible material is a mat.
 8. A methodfor rolling-out and rolling-up a flexible material, comprising:associating a bistable resilient member with the flexible material, witha length of the bistable resilient member oriented substantiallyparallel along a desired rolling direction of the flexible material andsubstantially perpendicular to a desired roll axis of the flexiblematerial; associating a single rigid element with the flexible materialand a distal end of the bistable resilient member; orienting a length ofthe rigid element substantially perpendicular the desired rollingdirection of the flexible material and substantially parallel to thedesired roll axis of the flexible material; with the rigid elementfacilitating application of force to the bistable resilient member toinitiate one of a transition state and stable states of resilientmember.